HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – State senators are promising they will try to reduce funding cuts proposed for Cheyney, West Chester and Pennsylvania’s 12 other state-owned universities.

Last week, it was the state-related universities – Temple, Lincoln, Penn State, and Pitt – who testified about drastic cuts in the governor’s proposed budget. Yesterday, it was the state-owned universities. And as he did the week before, Bucks County Republican Tommy Tomlinson vowed an effort to soften the blow.

“Everybody has to share in these cuts. But, unfortunately, you’ve been disproportionately cut.”

Governor Corbett, meanwhile, says his budget proposal is a starting point for discussion.

“So, this is the beginning process. We’ll see what the end process is.”

The governor maintains that he will not raise taxes, and that he and lawmakers will have to find a way to pare spending to $27.3 billion.